Review by Felix on June 6, 2021.

I usually like Whipstriker. The guy who runs this project knows how to get songs succinctly to the point with good riffs. At the same time, the necessary bit of antisocial filth is never missed out. But the good man also has fun pumping up his discography until it bursts. The split with Ice War is release number 37 since 2010. This compositional overproduction is not only an advantage. 'Restless Dogs', for example, is just solid standard stuff in the main part. Aggravating the situation, it is introduced by a lame intro and ended by a crummy fade-out. It doesn't help that the intro was cribbed a bit from Savage Grace ("Lions Roar"), who had chosen "The Ides of March" as their model.

The following two pieces are unfortunately also just more of the same and suffer from the fact that the guitars have nothing extraordinary to offer. Accompanied by dull beats, almost nothing of their (barely existing) melodies sticks. 'Rot In Trench' sounds more catchy than track number three, but won't make it into my private "heavy rotation" either. Nevertheless, the mix once again gives the music a dirty attitude. As a result, this means 65% for our Brazilian buddy.

Ice War follows. Again, there is only one person behind the band name and honestly, I'm not surprised that no one wants to make music with the boy. Less filthy, more inclined to speed metal, Ice War ask for a dance. But already the warped, rather affected singing spoils the fun. An "all-star band" of early Helloween and Atlain would have sounded similar to Ice War on "Grip of Death", but only on a rainy day with autumn depression. The youngest stylistic element of Ice War's compositions must have reached retirement age a long time ago, and unfortunately you notice that and the rancid smell it evokes every second. The breaks don't fit, the riffs are average at best and are also repeated too often. However,the worst is yet to come - the whole thing is far from real heaviness. Although the reference to the eighties is of course nothing bad per se, I like very little here and if anything, then it is the one or other instrumental passage. The last chords, accompanied by long drawn-out "ohoho" shouts, reflect all the poverty of the Ice War pieces on this split. Out of politeness, I'm withholding the percentages for this entry, but if 65% for Whipstriker and X% for Ice War add up to 45%, I guess that says it all. A release for people who like to back the wrong horse.

Rating: 6.5 out of 10

Review by Felix on June 6, 2021.

I usually like Whipstriker. The guy who runs this project knows how to get songs succinctly to the point with good riffs. At the same time, the necessary bit of antisocial filth is never missed out. But the good man also has fun pumping up his discography until it bursts. The split with Ice War is release number 37 since 2010. This compositional overproduction is not only an advantage. 'Restless Dogs', for example, is just solid standard stuff in the main part. Aggravating the situation, it is introduced by a lame intro and ended by a crummy fade-out. It doesn't help that the intro was cribbed a bit from Savage Grace ("Lions Roar"), who had chosen "The Ides of March" as their model.

The following two pieces are unfortunately also just more of the same and suffer from the fact that the guitars have nothing extraordinary to offer. Accompanied by dull beats, almost nothing of their (barely existing) melodies sticks. 'Rot In Trench' sounds more catchy than track number three, but won't make it into my private "heavy rotation" either. Nevertheless, the mix once again gives the music a dirty attitude. As a result, this means 65% for our Brazilian buddy.

Ice War follows. Again, there is only one person behind the band name and honestly, I'm not surprised that no one wants to make music with the boy. Less filthy, more inclined to speed metal, Ice War ask for a dance. But already the warped, rather affected singing spoils the fun. An "all-star band" of early Helloween and Atlain would have sounded similar to Ice War on "Grip of Death", but only on a rainy day with autumn depression. The youngest stylistic element of Ice War's compositions must have reached retirement age a long time ago, and unfortunately you notice that and the rancid smell it evokes every second. The breaks don't fit, the riffs are average at best and are also repeated too often. However,the worst is yet to come - the whole thing is far from real heaviness. Although the reference to the eighties is of course nothing bad per se, I like very little here and if anything, then it is the one or other instrumental passage. The last chords, accompanied by long drawn-out "ohoho" shouts, reflect all the poverty of the Ice War pieces on this split. Out of politeness, I'm withholding the percentages for this entry, but if 65% for Whipstriker and X% for Ice War add up to 45%, I guess that says it all. A release for people who like to back the wrong horse.

Rating: 6.5 out of 10

Review by Jeger on November 30, 2024.

Heritage, lore and war - the essences of true black metal - the foundation to every great black metal band, whether they be from Norway, Sweden, Finland or Germany. It's this concrete artistic base that keeps black metal pure: to homage the ways of olde, to never forget the traditions of yore and to take pride in your pedigree is the code. So long as these three concepts remain trident, there will always be a dignified future for black metal, despite the mainstream whores who defile it. For Germany's Mavorim, there can be no other path. Since 2014, Baptist has pushed ahead; spearheading a movement of Teutonic revival for German BM that challenges what's become the status quo - German black metal bands emulating the Scandinavians, as opposed to doing things the olde Germanic way. With both lyrics and song titles in the native tongue, with Mavorim, you can expect nothing but the true Teutonic BM experience. On December 25, Mavorim will release their fifth studio LP, In Ominia Paratus, via Purity Through Fire.

Let the fanfare begin! A celebratory commencement into the realm of melodic black metal of the bold and atmospheric consort is transpiring here during these opening minutes. The war drums pounding their pulsed rhythms and set to epic keyboard overlays. A pitch black soliloquy, the boots of the legion beating the earth and the cries of the masses; hear them now as they permeate the scourge. A sonic signal fire to gesticulate the black metal feast to come. No compromise here when it comes to the theatrics: horns, ghostly ambiances and hearty tremolo riffs to carry you through 'Zerfall', while the following track, 'Tu Ich Meine Augen Zu', unfolds to baser elements with guitar-driven melody being the primary facet. Keyboards placed on the back burner during the opening minutes and hearty anthemic cleans reminiscent of Absurd's 'Mourning Soul' to raise the flag for German pride - soul-stirring and inspirational - a grand achievement in its own right. Black metal as hearty as the thickest ale and acutely intoxicating like Absinthe.

In Ominia Paratus is, for the most part, a savory mid-tempo'd record with martial beats and temped riffing. 'Ein Fahles Ross' is a prime example: patient melodies, intrepid rhythms and more of those celebratory cleans to rouse up from the fore of thought images of proud warriors upon horses pale as they ride the sacred night through til dawn. Ethereal keyboard effects siren like the spirits of those forlorn just before you're propelled into the grime of 'Aller Abart Gloria'. Like a page taken from Bethlehem's playbook as the evilest passages unfurl to such a vile vocal scathing. What a comprehensive record and what a magisterial contribution from Baptist and Valfor - harbingers of the true Germanic path to black metal.

You will listen to this one over and over again. In Ominia Paratus is one of the year's best, and it culminates with an epic in 'Der Letzten Sonne Untergang'. Just a smorgasbord of everything Mavorim does well here: a layered approach to vocals, haunting atmospherics, varied rhythms and engaging riffs; a journey to end a journey. Wind blown and frigid from start to finish - 'In Ominia Paratus' - a career-defining feat and a muse for the trueness of genuine German black metal. Definitely not your crusty basement BM. This record is finely produced, dynamic and refined yet wholesome and earthy as folk. An album for sacred nights by bon's fire under harvest moon, for warrior's majesty and for hearkening the winds of remembrance. Heritage and pride standing paramount - the true black metal way incarnate. Bravo.

Rating: 9 out 10